Indian jointfir
Gnetum ula

Family: Gnetaceae

What it is like

A woody climber. The leaves are opposite and narrowly oval. They are 8-18 cm long and 5-10 cm wide. The flowers are of separate sexes. The male flowers are in rings in spike like cones. These spikes are 3-5 cm long. The female spikes can occur singly or in a group. They are often on the stem. The fruit is fleshy and 8-25 mm long. There is a single hard seed.

There are about 28 Gnetum species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in evergreen forests under shade. It occurs in the Western Ghats in India.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, India

How it is used for food

The oil is only used to a small extent.

Edible parts

Nuts, fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Anapendu, Kodkamballi, Kumbal, Lolori, Navurukatte, Nokate, Odal, Peiodal, Tolumbi, Ula, Umbli

Synonyms

Gnetum funiculare B.Smith in part;